Amesbury Public Schools Update

Email: bartlettc@amesburyma.org
Website: schools.amesburyma.gov
Location: 5 Highland Street, Amesbury, MA, USA
Phone: (978) 388-0507
Facebook: facebook.com/amesburyschools
Twitter: @amesburypublic1

Happy December! There is a distinct chill in the air as we transition to the last month of 2022!

The month of December is always one that is full of activities and opportunities to enjoy the season. For example, the Fall Sports Award Night will take place on Tuesday, December 6th beginning at 6 pm in the auditorium. On Thursday, December 8th, the Class of 2023 is hosting a Holiday Movie Night in the AHS Cafeteria from 4-6 pm. Tuesday, December 13th offers two great opportunities. The Class of 2024 is running Taco Tuesday in the AHS Cafeteria. This provides a great chance to eat prior to attending the Middle School Holiday concerts that begin with the 5th and 6th grade at 6pm. Grades 7 and 8 will follow. What a choice! Eat then go to the concert or go to the concert, then eat! Either way is a win! These are just a few of the great events that are happening in the Amesbury Public Schools this month.

The Amesbury Public Schools continue to look for van drivers (must be 7D certified), crossing guards, and substitute teachers. If you are interested in any of these positions or know someone who might be, please reach out to Carol Bartlett in the Central Office. Carol can be reached at (978) 388-0507 or at bartlettc@amesburyma.org.

I sincerely hope that you have a happy and healthy holiday season!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth McAndrews

Superintendent

As is the annual tradition, the AHS Student Council is running their toy drive. All are welcome to bring a new, unwrapped toy to AHS during business hours to be donated to Toys for Tots. The drive will take place from Monday, December 5th through early Friday, December 9th. The Amesbury Police Department will have a cruiser available "to stuff" before school on Friday morning. Thank you in advance for your generous donations.

As a reminder, Friday, December 9th is a PRT Day where the middle and high school students will be dismissed at 11:30 am and the elementary schools will be dismissed at noon. The remaining PRT Days are January 13th, February 10th, and March 17th.

The Holiday Break will begin following the Early Release Day on Thursday, December 22 with middle and high school students begin dismissed at 10:50 am and elementary students at 11:30. There is no school from Friday, December 23rd through Monday, January 2nd. Classes for all levels will resume on Tuesday, January 3rd.

I would like to publicly thank the members of the AHS Mascot Committee. The work that they did was outstanding. They ensured that all stakeholders had the opportunity to share their thinking about what the new mascot should be. The Committee provided me with their recommendation of Redhawks which was shared at the first School Committee meeting in November. At the second meeting in November, I gave the School Committee my recommendation of Redhawks. This Monday, December 5th, the School Committee will vote on my recommendation. Stay tuned for more information!

During the winter months, we will experience severe weather conditions that may require the Superintendent to delay the start of the school and/or cancel school for safety reasons. When this is the case, a decision will be made as early as possible, but typically between 5 and 6 am. In order to make a decision about holding school during a severe weather event, the Superintendent consults with several individuals and groups including but not limited to the Amesbury DPW (Department of Public Works), Amesbury Fire and Police, the Director of Facilities and Operations, the Director of Facilities, as well as local weather resources.

In Amesbury, we utilize a 2 hour delay when it is appropriate. This means that the school day begins 2 hours later than it typically does but closes at the same time as usual.

Any information about a change to the school day will be shared via Blackboard Connect, Social Media and on the school website.

On the Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving Break, the fourth grade students at AES participated in a STEM Showcase that was designed to have students answer the question, "How do I design a model prosthesis to help an injured animal survive in its natural habitat?" This project was the culmination of a science unit about structure and function of organisms and the Wit and Wisdom unit about having a figuratively big heart. Check out some of the pictures below!